125 posts categorized "BLOGS"

Google is backing down (some) on its Blogger crackdown. Instead of enforcing a salacious images ban on all content beginning March 23, they're just going to enforce their existing porn ban more aggressively. Some bloggers are relieved.

Gay blogger and activist (and what would we do without him, look at butt pics all day?) Joe Jervis did something he almost never does over the past few days—he banned some commenters and deleted some of their offensive words.

With so many controversial gay issues that lead to spirited debates of hundreds of comments on many of his posts, what finally led to such a crackdown?

“I very rarely ban commenters or even delete comments as my long-standing policy has been that we should own and confront the haters among us. But reading some of the reactions to the suicide of Leelah Alcorn makes me feel hopeless and depressed about the future of our movement. If some of our own people cannot summon a shred of sympathy and solidarity for the most tortured and abused members of our family, I don't know WHAT we're all in this for. The most vicious of the messages that poured in overnight were from guest accounts or non-regulars. These people are NOT part of the JMG community that I've loved and respected for the last decade.”

I share Joe's contempt for these attitudes, and his genuine disillusionment that they exist in such numbers in our community. It felt to me, growing up, that gay people were often more worldly and progressive and just plain smarter. There is a common joke in the culture that gay men have better taste, so much so that our stamp of approval is often sought in making things cool. I haven't felt that way in a while. Perhaps it's one unfortunate side effect of equality—gay people are just as likely to be small-minded and hateful as the next person.

When you're a blogger, you take the good (free tickets, great opportunities to meet fascinating people, the ability to express your opinion to a wide audience every day, positive reinforcement from supportive readers) with the bad (scorched-earth comments from anonymous anti-fans, the occasional rejection of an interview request, some people assuming you're a public service and that you have to publish anythnig they want).

One thing I really never get over, though, is the odd push-pull from some quarters—they want you, they don't want you...it changes day to day.

Case in point: I would routinely get news tips from a gay magazine on a weekly basis. They'd encourage me to post their stuff, which I often did since I run a personal blog with a gay slant and they're a classy gay magazine that has great content. Why wouldn't I?

But then I wouldn't get invited to their annual party in NYC, which each year I would point out and then would be told they'd correct it the following year.

Surfing the internet is a thing enjoyed by practically everyone nowadays, and gay men are by no means an exception to this rule. It’s been another great year for the internet’s gay community, with a huge amount of new sites being released, a large number of different groups finding their place on the web, and awareness of gay issues continuing to be spread far and wide.

Here are some of the best sites of the moment!

Shout Out Health

Raising awareness of gay health issues, Shout Out is a great resource for the whole of the gay community. Presented in a question/answer format, the site has all of the most commonly asked questions that one might run in to, covering all of the most pressing issues in the gay community. Alongside this, there’s plenty of news, features and editorials to keep readers enlightened concerning gay health and cultural developments.

Nifty

For those that like to get a little naughty, without sacrificing imagination and the runaway nature of the mind’s eye, Nifty has it all. There are thousands of erotic stories written by and archived for every member of the LGBT community, and the opportunity for users to flex their own authorly muscles, creating their own reader base in the process.

GayGamer

Gaming has truly become the pastime of our age, with every group across society enjoying the act of kicking back and enjoying a few relaxing games. GayGamer is the prime portal for the homosexual community’s gamers, and has all of the news, reviews, features and forums one would expect from a gaming site, but all geared towards the gay audience. A special mention should also be given to Uptown Aces, where gamers who feel they have a little more luck on their side can go to blow off a little steam and perhaps even win a little cash in the process!

Homorazzi

For all of the news, features and gossip, Homorazzi is a wonderful site that truly deserves a place on the list. The site’s opinions and pieces have been known to really influence mainstream aspects of gay culture and public opinion and the entertainment and gossip sections are truly first rate! There’s literally something for everyone on this site.

Advocate

Keeping up to the minute on political developments regarding the gay community, Advocate is known far and wide for its excellent coverage of issues; another site that has consistently molded and informed the public debate on the role of the gay community, and LGBT empowerment in general.